How do you catch a stray dog?

You spot a dog on the side of the road as you’re driving. With a sinking feeling, you realize they are alone. What should you do?.

This situation is heartbreaking for everyone who cares about animals. Use our recommendations for safe and efficient assistance, after all, what if your own pet were standing there?

If you get hurt while trying to help an animal, you can’t help them. Before you brake, check your rear-view mirror, activate your signal, completely pull off the road, turn off the ignition, engage the parking brake, and turn on your hazard lights. If you have emergency flares, prepare to use them.

An unfamiliar, scared, and possibly ill or injured animal may act in an unpredictable manner. They may become startled by sudden movements from you, such as opening your car door, and run away, possibly onto the road. Stay in your car if the animal appears or acts threatening or if the situation makes you feel uneasy.

If possible, restrain the animal. To keep the animal contained, construct a barrier or use a carrier, leash, piece of clothing, or length of rope. If you are unable to contain the animal, warn oncoming traffic to slow down, or if it appears injured and is still on the road, divert traffic around it.

Use caution when approaching the animal. You stand a good chance of getting bit or scratched if you manage to get close enough to capture them.

When moving toward the animal, speak calmly to reassure them. As you approach, make sure they can always see you, and perhaps lure them to you by offering strong-smelling food like canned tuna or dried liver.

Try to entice the animal into your car with food, then shut the door and wait for help if you know you can get assistance from animal control quickly. A strange dog left unrestrained in your car while you try to drive somewhere is typically not a good idea because they could become agitated or aggressive. It can be dangerous to attempt to remove cats from under the car seat because they may do the same thing.

Call the local animal control agency (or the police in rural areas) if you are unable to safely restrain the animal. Whether the animal is hurt or not, and whether it is wearing an identification tag, do this. Give the dispatcher your phone number and ask for a rough time estimate for when a response might come. If at all possible, remain on the scene to watch over the dog or cat until assistance arrives. Use road names, mile markers, or landmarks to provide the authorities with exact location information when reporting an animal. Top 10 tips.

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Take the animal to the closest animal shelter if you can transport it there. Notify animal control that you have the animal or that you have taken it to a veterinary hospital for treatment if you intend to keep the animal in the event that its owner cannot be located. Usually, you can post a free “found” advertisement in your neighborhood newspaper or on websites like Craigslist. Keep any identification, such as collar or tags.

Have a slip lead and offer treats

As a stray dog might not have a collar, be sure to have a lead on hand. A slip lead is the best tool. Treats would also be helpful. A dog that has been wandering for some time may be extremely hungry and will approach you more readily if you have food. Throw some treats the dog’s way and then move sideways to avoid scaring him.

Some dogs may happily approach you and accept your assistance, whereas others may be scared and flee in the opposite direction. Avoid grabbing at a loose dog because some of them will be extremely terrified and sudden movements might make them even more so. Instead, move slowly and don’t try to immobilize the dog.

When trying to catch a dog, people frequently make the error of chasing the animal. That is exactly what a loose dog will do as well. Have you ever noticed that when you chase your own dog, he just runs away and acts like it’s a big game? Actually, it’s better to run away from the dog in the hope that it will then pursue you.

Another common blunder is calling the dog or patting your legs in an effort to get it to come to you. This might make the dog react negatively if he’s already on edge. He might run off in the opposite direction and possibly run into something hazardous.

Dogs can read body language even though they cannot understand English. Use calming cues to let the dog know you don’t mean him any harm. These signs include yawning, blinking, and side-to-side rather than head-on movement. You should also move cautiously and crouch down to the ground. If you approach the dog from their level, you won’t likely come off as intimidating.

Dogs are pack animals, so they might trust a four-legged friend more than a two-legged friend. To entice the stray dog to you, use a device called a “magnet dog.” The magnet dog should be friendly and playful. This might encourage the dog to approach you so you can catch him safely.

Encountering a Stray Dog

Question How do I catch a puppy? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer Use much the same methods as described in the guide, but know that puppies are naturally more curious than a dog. This means youre more likely to be able to entice the puppy closer with an interesting toy or food. Also, make yourself appear less threatening by sitting down, so you dont tower above it.

Question Where can I get a stray dog microchipped? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer All vet clinics are able to chip a dog. Simply contact them, and they will either implant a chip for you or be able to suggest a charity that will help you. Organizations such as the ASPCA often hold microchipping events where you can get a pet chipped for free or at a substantial discount.

Question How do you break up a dog fight? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer Never put your hands or arms between fighting dogs as you will get bitten. Try and put a barrier between the dogs, such as a chair or backpack. Also, giving the dogs a sudden shock, such as throwing cold water over them, will help.

It is recommended to take a stray dog directly to an animal shelter or animal control center.[54] As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2

Do not try to catch a stray dog if you do not feel comfortable doing so. The staff at your local animal control center or professional dog-catching service has the experience with catching stray animals safely and humanely. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Be aware that the stray dogs owner may be looking everywhere for him, and may be very distraught over losing him. If you find a stray dog, make every effort to reunite him with his owner. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

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Stray dogs may bite out of fear. Do not attempt to catch a stray dog who tries to bite you or otherwise exhibiting erratic behavior. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1

Do not entice a stray dog with bones. He may choke on the bone. Shards of bone may also damage his gastrointestinal tract, which would require extensive veterinary care. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 9 Not Helpful 8

Stray dogs may be injured, infested with fleas, or have rabies.[55] Any of these conditions could make a stray dog dangerous to catch. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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If possible, restrain the animal. To keep the animal contained, construct a barrier or use a carrier, leash, piece of clothing, or length of rope. If you are unable to contain the animal, warn oncoming traffic to slow down, or if it appears injured and is still on the road, divert traffic around it.

The owner of the found dog or cat may be assumed to have cruelly abandoned them or, at the very least, failed to keep them safely confined at home by good samaritans who have never lost a beloved companion animal. But accidents can happen to anyone. The anxious owner might be searching all over for their cherished pet.

Use caution when approaching the animal. You stand a good chance of getting bit or scratched if you manage to get close enough to capture them.

Register to receive our free e-book, which contains vital details on taking care of your pet, including training methods and solutions to frequently asked questions.

This situation is heartbreaking for everyone who cares about animals. Use our recommendations for safe and efficient assistance, after all, what if your own pet were standing there?

FAQ

How do you catch a dog that won’t come to you?

The Best Way To Catch A Scared Dog Avoid shouting or making loud noises to the dog. Remain calm and use submissive body language. Avoid direct eye contact. Try Albrecht’s method for attracting and calming animals by using a soft treat and a crinkly food bag (like a potato chip packet).

What to use to catch a stray dog?

Use boneless, cooked baits that won’t easily spoil. Try including a beloved blanket or toy if you’re photographing a pet dog. To get the dog to step on the trip plate, place or scatter the bait behind the plate. To prevent theft, keep the bait as far away from the trap walls as you can.

How do I catch a wild dog?

1. Wild dogs are lured into the trap using olfactory stimuli like dog feces and/or urine, or a commercially made lure (like a synthetic fermented egg).
2. One or two pieces of meat bait are placed inside and around the trap.
3. The bait’s appeal and palatability will change depending on the season and location.

How do you tame a stray dog?

Instead of putting pressure on the dog to tolerate someone, let him approach people on his own. Establish a routine for the dog; structure increases a dog’s sense of comfort. Have a routine for things like hand-feeding him meals, taking him on walks, sitting next to him tossing treats, and handling and petting him (when he’s ready).